A FOOTBALLER who is as famous in his native China as David Beckham could be the cataylst to finding a bone marrow donor for a doctor with an incurable blood cancer.

Manchester City defender Sun Ji-hai is appealing for members of the Chinese community across the world to come forward in the hope that they may be a match with Warrington GP Dr Hock Lim.

Dr Lim has multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow caused by the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells. A worldwide search found a match last year, but the prospective donor pulled out at the last minute.

A transplant would not provide a cure, but would give him a few more years with his wife, Catherine, 45, a health consultant, and children Emma, 15, Caroline, 13, and Alexander, 10.

Dr Lim is of Chinese origin and is unlikely to find a match for his genetic make-up outside of the Chinese race.

But there are barriers which prevent these people coming forward.

Dr Lim said: "Some people don't have the knowledge to want to come forward. They are frightened as they see it as a procedure like an operation, which it is not.

"There can also be a language problem. If you phone the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust hot-line, the message is in English and because they are a charity they cannot afford translators.

"By Sun Ji-hai coming on board, it will help get the message across. He is very well-known and Manchester City games are screened across China so the appeal will be seen by millions of fans across the country."

Dr Lim is currently taking a trial medication which is holding his condition in check, but he is desperate for the transplant.

He added: "If I was to have a full transplant, I have only a 70 pc chance of survival so they have to do a mini transplant where they leave some of my bone marrow in.

"This means if the donor marrow does not take, my own may regrow. A mini transplant does not have as good a result, but it gives us time."

Every year there are 3,000 requests for bone marrow donors worldwide.

More potential donors are needed, particularly from ethnic backgrounds and Ji-Hai said: "Doctor Lim is very brave - I just hope people will read this and come forward as donors."